Feliks Keidrowski  (1919—2013)

Veteran soldier and sailor Feliks Keidrowski passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2013 in Staffordshire, at the age of 94.

Polish Armed Forces veteran, Feliks Keidrowski (92), of Lichfield, Staffordshire, played an improtant role in the Polish Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum that was inaugorated in 2009. Mr Keidrowski served with Polish forces from 1 September 1939 and throughout WWII, joining Allied Forces in key battles, including Tobruk and Monte Cassino. After the war he was part of the massive rebuilding effort and he helped in the construction of over 500 houses in the Lichfield area. As well as receiving many wartime medals Mr Keidrowski was also presented with the Pro Memoria by the Polish consul from Manchester Mr. Szymon Bialek, in December 2010.

 Below: Ziennik Polski (Polish daily) obituary—Feliks Keidrowski

 Henry Strzelecki MBE (04.10.1925—26.12.2012)

Pioneer in the outdoor clothing business whose Henri-Lloyd label developed the first truly waterproof and durable apparel for sailors

Henry Strzelecki was the co-founder of the Henri-Lloyd outdoor clothing manufacturer and the “father” of ther modern waterproofs worn by sailors and extreme outdoor sports enthusiasts and explorers.

Born in Brodnica, midway between Warsaw and Gdansk, he fled occupied Poland, the scene of much human suffering, after making himself a nuisance to the Nazis, to join the Polish 2nd Corps in Italy; it became part of the British Eighth Army. He fought with Corps in many campaigns, notably in the liberation of Bologna, earning recognition in the form of medals from both the Polish and the British authorities. He was demobilised in Britain and opted to stay here as, by then, his native Poland was in the hands of the Communists.

The Times obituaries: Henry Strzelecki MBE

Boating Business Obituary - Henry Strzelecki MBE

 David Salik  (1914—2012)

Polish paratrooper who was decorated for his initiative during the disastrous Allied attack on the Dutch towns of Arnhem, Oosterbeek, Wolfheze, Driel and the surrounding countryside from 17–26 September 1944.

David Salik was one of the last surviving veterans of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade which was dropped at Arnhem in September 1944. A sergant in 3rd Parachute Batalion, David Salik had survived imprisonment in a Soviet labour camp , in 1942 he served with Polish forces in Iran, Iraq and Palestine and was later awarded the Polish Field Para badge, the Medal Wojska Polskiego—Military Medal  and Bronze  Krzyż Zasługi—Cross of Merit with Swords and 4 British campaign medals. At the war’s end David Salik was to be one of a small number of Jews from his home town of Sanok, Poland to have survived the Holocaust.

The Times obituaries: David Salik

At least twenty eight Polish Jewish soldiers served and fought with the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade at Arnhem, of whom ten were officers. Jewish servicemen in the Polish Parachute Brigade were awarded the Order Virtuti Militari—Poland's highest award for valour (2),  the Medal Wojska Polskiego—Military Medal (5) Bronze Krzyż Zasługi—Cross of Merit (1) and the Krzyż Walecznych—Cross of Valour (1) for their part in the Battle of Arnhem.

 Dr Andrew Meeson Kielanowski  (21-01-1935—07-01-2012)

 Dr Andrew Meeson Kielanowski MA, MB, BCh, BAO, KM, co-founder and Vice Chairman of the Polish Heritage Society (UK). A much-loved and widely-respected doctor in Hampstead, he was also a great philanthropist active in numerous charities. As Chairman of the Polish Knights of Malta (UK), he was a tireless fund-raiser for oncology clinics in Poland. He also played a leading role in the successful campaign for a Polish Armed Forces memorial to be erected at the National Arboretum.

The Telegraph obituaries: Dr-Andrew-Meeson

 Jan Walentowicz  (1921—27.10.2011)

 Jan Walentowicz, who has died aged 90, flew Wellington bombers during the second world war and later became an RAF helicopter pilot. Born in Lida, then part of Poland (and now in Belarus), he was educated there and in Białystok. He joined the Polish air force for his national service. In September 1939 Germany invaded Poland.

Following his escape from Poland Jan eventually arrived in Great Britain from France. In 1942 he undertook pilot training and was posted to 304 Polish Reconnaissance Squadron, based at Benbecula, Outer Hebrides, flying anti-U-boat patrols.

Poland ended the war under Soviet occupation and Jan refused to return, remaining instead in the RAF. In 1950 he married Winifred, whom he had first met at a dance in Nottingham. In 1954 he qualified to fly helicopters, was promoted to flight lieutenant and was posted to 155 Squadron at Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, during the anti-insurgent campaign. On returning to Britain, Jan joined 22 Squadron, this time in a search and rescue role. In 1960 he completed an air traffic controller course, serving in Yorkshire and Aden. However, a shortage of experienced helicopter pilots led to his return to flying, as flight commander with 202 Squadron at Leuchars, Scotland. Jan was then – aged 47 – the oldest pilot in the RAF.

Upon leaving the RAF, Jan and Winifred moved to Essex, where they ran the Billericay Bookshop until 1989. Then followed 20 years of retirement in East Hanningfield and in Dunedin, Florida. Jan remained an active supporter of the Royal Air Forces Association until his death.

The Guardian obituaries: Jan Walentowicz

 Tadeusz W. Sawicz  (13.02.1914—19.10.2011)

 TADEUSZ W. SAWICZ Gen. Brg. Pilot Passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 in Toronto at the age of 97.

Tadeusz started his military career in Poland in 1934 and took part in the Allied war effort during the Second World War in Poland, France and Britain, including the Battle of Britain whilst serving with No. 303 ("Kościuszko") Polish Fighter Squadron (303 Dywizjon Myśliwski "Warszawski im. Tadeusza Kościuszki) which was the highest scoring RAF squadron of the Battle of Britain. He was the last surviving Polish pilot who fought in the Battle of Britain.

Tadeusz Sawicz concluded his military career as a Wing Commander in the RAF and was highly decorated with a Virtuti Militari Silver Cross, four times Polish DFC, British DFC, American DFC and Dutch DFC. Tadeusz worked in Montreal at Wheeler and Nordair Airlines.

The Telegraph obituaries: Wing-Commander-Tadeusz-Sawicz

The Guardian obituaries: Last surviving Polish Battle of Britain pilot dies